Switch



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C. R. KRONE ,SWITCH Filed DeC. 26, 1923 ZSheetS-Shee 1 Pfl l wvwntov CARL FuooL PH lffro/v:

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Nov. 2 1926.

Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES CARL RUDOLPH KRONE, or oAKLAND, oaLIroRNiA.

SWITCH.

Application led December 26, 1923. Serial No. 682,734,

The present invention relates to improve-4 ments in electrical switches and has' par ticular reference to a switch adapted to be used lor the operation oi a direction indieating system on a motor vehicle. The principal object of the invention is to provide a switch of simple construction designed to operate two circuits -in such a manner that either circuit may be closed individually by a slight turn oii a handle either to the right or to the left, and in which both circuits may be closed simulta neously by continuing either a right hand or the lett hand turning of the handle. j v1t is further proposed to provide a switch ot the character described that may be very easily assembled and taken apart, particularly in view of the fact that few screws are used in the construction of the switch mechanism, most of the parts being held in place by being merely pushed on studs projecting from supporting faces. It is further proposed to provide a switch in which a good contact between a switch lever and terminal elements is secured at any time due to the particular construction in which spring action is relied on tor urging the contact elements into contact. 1t is further proposed to provide means for securing the switch to the steering post of a motor vehicle in such a vmanner that it may be very' conveniently operated by the driver. Further objects and advantages oi' the invention will appear as the specificaj tion proceeds.

The preferred forms of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows my switch as secured to the steering post of a motor vehicle, Figure 2 a top plan view of the switch with the cover removed, Figure 3 a vertical section taken along line Ill-1111 ot Figure 2, Figure 4 a detail ,plan view of a ring sector vforming part of the switch mechanism, ure 5 a section taken along line Vj-V ot Figure 4; Figure' a detail plan view ot the second ring sector; Figure 7 a section taken along line VII-VII of Figure 6; Figure 8 aperspective detail view of a spring used to hold the two sectors together; Figure 9 a perspective detail view of the guide pin for the two sectors; Figure 10 a plan 'view of a modied form of switch with the cover removed; Figure 11 a section taken along line XIJ-XI of Figure 10; Figure 12 a detail bottom plan View of the cover for the switch; Figure 13 a sectional view taken along line KTH- X111 or Figure 2; Figure 14C a spring member used to hold the two ring sectors ot Figure 10 together; Figure 15 a terminal clamp used in the center ot my switch mechanism; Figure 16 a terminal clamp used in the circumferential. portion of the mechanism, and Figure 17 a perspective view of al plate interposed between the switch and the steering post.

TWhile l have shown only the preferredV forms of the invention it should be understood that various changes and modiiications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My switch mechanism is preferably enclosed in a cylindrical casing (1) made of insulating material with a cover screwed thereon by means oi the screws The cover (2) which is shown in detail in Figure 12 is provided with a cir cumferential ridge (l) extending through a portion of the circumference only so as to leave a slot (6) between the cover and the casing. through which extends the handle (7) as shown at (8) allowing the switch mechanism to be operated from the outside of the casing.

`Within the casing are provided two ring sectors (8) and (9) illustrated in detail in Figures t to 7 each sector being substantially semi-circular in shape but slightly shortened so as to leave sutlicient clearance between the two sectors as shown at (11) to allow of a limited amount of play. From the bottom of the casing rises a cylindrical projection (12) around which the two sectors are placed1 the dimensions being such that there is a clearance (13) between the projection (12) and the sectors corresponding substantially in width to the clearance (11) between the two sectors. The latter two are held against rotary motion by means of the member (14) comprising a block (16) provided with a transverse pin (17) and two alignedlongitudinal pins (18) and (18'). A short end ot the transverse pin (17) is adapted to engage with a recess (19) in the center of the projection per endof this pin serves as a pivot for the handle (7) previously mentioned. The longitudinal pin (18) entends through `the sector (S) into the wally ot' the casing as (12) while the upH- shown at (21) whereby the element (14) is prevented from rotating, while the longitudinal pin (18') extends into the sector (9) so as to keep both sectors from rotating, while not interfering with their play toward and away from each other. Te urge the two sectors together I provide the springs (22) one of which is shown in detail in Figure 8. This spring is substantially triangular in form and is adapted to embrace adjacent projections (23) on the' sectors. The spring is split as shown at (24) with the two ends overlapping to allow of play. The sector (8) is provided with two contact elements (26) disposed radially near the edges of the sector in such a. manner that their inner' faces are substantially flush with the inner face of the sector but slightly notched as shown at (27). The contact elements are held in grooves in the sector and are slipped over pins rising from the bottom of the grooves. The sector (9) is also provided with contact elements (28) placed on top thereof in such a manner that the inner faces of the contact elements are substantially flush with a block rising from the sector, the inner portion of the sector being cut down to provide av ledge (31) over which the handle (7) moves. The elements (28) are also held in place by pins extending upwardly from the top face of the sector. The handle which is pivoted on the pin (17) is formed to ride on the edge of the casing, and projects downwardly within the conlines of the two rim sectors as shown at (32) so that the projection is clamped between the twor sectors. A notch (33) is provided in the block (29) and further notches (34) are provided in the two contact elements (28) to arrest the mo tion of the handle in operative positions.

The wire (36) which may be considered connected to the positive terminal of a source of energy is in metallic contact with the pin (17) through the terminal clamp (38) shown in detail in Figure 15, while the two wires (39) and (41) which come from the negative side of the source of energy are connected with the contact elements (26) and (28) through the clamps (42) which latter are held in a recess in the casing by the springs (22) and are connected to the contact elements (26) and (28) by the springs. It will be seen from this arrangement that if the handle is in the position shown in Figure 2 there is no electrical connection between any of the contact elements. If the handle is turned to the right to engage the nearest notch electrical connection is established between the contact element (28) and the central pin (17) whereby one circuit is closed. If the handle is turned further to the right so that while remaining in engagement with the contact member (28), it also engages the oppositely disto the negative side of the source.

posed contact member (26), both circuits are closed, the current flowing from the ositive side of the source to the central pin 17) from there to the two contacts (26) and (28) and through the signals or lamps back If the handle is turned to the left to engage with the first notch in the contact member (28), one circuit will be closed correspondingly and if turned further to the left to engage with both contact members (26) and (28) both circuits will be closed. It should be understood .that while these turning motions are executed the downward projection (32) of the handle (7) will always be clamped between the contacting faces of the sectors (8) and so that there will always be a good firm contact between the ditferent contact elements.

To secure the switch to the steering post I preferably use the means illustrated in Figure 1 comprising a band (43) guided around the steering post and the circumferential face of the casing with pairs of lips (44) straddling the casing and joined by bolts (46) extending through the same and through the casing. A rod (47) is passed between the steering post and the casing and opposite sides of the band are tightened upon the rod by means of nuts (48). The casing as well as the steering post are notched as shown at (49) to provide grooves for lodging the straight middle of the rod. A plate (50), curved to fit on the steering post and slotted as shown at (50), is interposed between the casing and the steering post, contacting both and its slot registering with both notches (49), and thus at the face of the steering post contributes material 0bstruction and increased frictional resistance to lateral and to vertical play of the rod and secures the switch to the steering post.

The form of switch illustrated in Figure 10 diil'ers only slightly from that described thus far, the principal difference lying in the means for urging the two sectors (8) and (9) together. In this modification springs (51) and (52) are provided in recesses (53) around the pins (18') and (18) respectively of the member (14) and bearing against the sections (8) and (9) tend to force the same together. The spring (52) is preferably confined in a tubular member (55) extending from the sector (9) into the wall of the casing and preventing disalignment of the recess in the sector and the recess in the wall of the casing.

An electrical connection between therclips (42) and the contact members (26) and (28) respectively is made by the long springs (54), illustrated in detail in Figure 14. In other respects the switch works on the same rinciples as that one previously described. r ufiicient clearance is left, in both modifications7 between the sectors and the wall-of the casing to allow the play of the springs 22 and 54: respectively in the performance of their functions.

I claim:

l. In a switch of the character described, ring sectors grouped around a center hav terminals associated therewith, means for urging the sectors centerwise, a rotatably mounted electric conductor clamped between the sectors adapted to establish electric connection between terminals on different sectors and means for preventing circumferential motion of the sectors.

2. In a switch of the character described, ring sections grouped around a center having terminals associated therewith, elastic means engaging adjacent ends of the sectors urging the same centerwise and a rotatably mounted conductor clamped between the sectors adapted to establish electric connection between treminals on dierent sectors.

3. In a switch of the character described, ring sectors grouped around a center having terminals associated therewith, elastic means engaging adjacent ends of the sectors urging the same centerwise, a rotatably mounted conductor clamped between the sectors adapted to establish electric connection between the terminals on dierent sectors and means for preventing circumferential mction of the sectors.

4. In a switch of the character described, ring sectors grouped around acenter having terminals associated therewith, means for urging the sectors centerwise, a rotatably mounted electric conductor clamped between the sectors adapted to establish electric connection between terminals on different sectors and means for preventing circumferential motion of the sectors, comprising a electrically connecting oppositely arranged' terminals.

6. In a switch, a cylindrical casing, two ring sectors confined therein having means associated therewith for urging the same toward one another, terminal elements embedded in sectors so as to be flush with their inner faces and a centrally pivoted conduct4 ing handle clamped between the sectors for electrically connecting oppositely arranged terminals, the handle extending through a slot in the casing to allow the same to be manipulated from the outside thereof.

7..In a switch, a cylindrical casing, two ring sectors confined therein having means associated therewith for urging the same toward one another, terminal elements embedded in sectors so as to be flush with their inner faces and a centrally p-ivoted conducting handle clamped between the sectors for electrically connecting oppositely arranged terminals, the handle extending through a slot in the casing to allow the same to be manipulated from the outside thereof, andthe inner faces of the sectors l being notched at operative places to arrest the motion of the handle when operative positions have been reached.Y

CARL RUDOLPH KRONE. 

